Automaboule

One of the finest Goofy films. Brilliant body language. The parallels between pedestrians / motorists to Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde and the other gags are funny and still hold up.

"Mr Walker" ("Goofy" in a suit and tie) is a man of "average" intelligence who considerately avoids stepping on an ant as he walks to his garage to head to work in the morning. Thing is, once he gets the engine on it all goes to his head and he becomes the maniacal "Mr. Wheeler" in traditional "Jekyll & Hyde" fashion. Unfortunately for him, everyone else using the road takes the same thoughtless and aggressive approach to their journeys and soon accidents and pile-ups accrue. It's quite a clever look at just how silly the whole concept of getting there ten seconds earlier is; of getting there momentarily before a colleague, finding that elusive parking space or of not caring a jot for other road (or kerb) users. A concept turned on it's head when our driver reverts to pedestrian status and briefly and fearsomely appreciates the selfishness of motorists. Might he learn? What do you think...? Maybe patience is a virtue?

Disney's short Motor Mania concerns Goofy as Mr. Walker, a calm, competent pedestrian who is just your average Joe as he walks down the street every day. But when Mr. Walker gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, he turns into "Mr. Wheeler," a venomous, hateful man, consumed by road rage. Nobody every drives fast enough for Mr. Wheeler, it seems, and it doesn't help his big mouth and reckless driving get him into more accidents than the average person. What happens to Mr. Walker when he gets behind the wheel and how come he can't simply drive without being filled to the brim with malice and hatefulness?

Unfortunately, what I will now call "The Walker/Wheeler Complex," some people can be the nicest, most warm- hearted people when they're simply walking down the street but as soon as they get in a car, they become consumed by rage and morose feelings that they lash out at other drivers. It's a sad, true reality Jack Kinney's Motor Mania illustrates very well, with quick-moving action scenes and moments that inspire laughs as well as winces because of true and relevant they actually are. Despite being part of a whole other world, Disney, with their variety of short films offering social commentary on a number of issues, prove once more they were and still are very much in the loop.

Directed by: Jack Kinney.

Certainly one of my favourites alongside Goofy Gymnastics. It is not just one of the funniest cartoons I've seen with its inspired Jekyll and Hyde vibe, but with the serious problem of motorists in cars it is also important. The animation is just wonderful, sometimes scary and sometimes cleverly exaggerated. The music is full of energy and never feels out of place, the humour is imaginatively timed in that it would tickle your funny bone in an appropriately jarring sort of way and the narration is sardonic and thoughtfully delivered by John McLeish. Goofy is a tour-De-force as Walker and Wheeler, lovable as the former and quite scary as the latter. All in all, a superb cartoon and one of the best that Goofy has been in. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I first saw this cartoon when it was part of a cartoon compilation episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, narrated by Professor Ludwig Von Drake. It stars Goofy who plays a Jekyll and Hyde-type character named Mr. Walker and Mr. Wheeler. When he is walking about any but his car, he is a kind and benevolent man. But, when he takes behind the wheel, he turns into a crazy, wild driver.

It is an interesting cartoon short, hilarious to see Goofy act in an ominous and scary demeanor as he crashes into other cars and yells at people in fits of road rage. It's also a lesson to be learned - everybody should drive defensively.

The animation is colorful and brilliant and the plot is full of laughs and entertainment. An enjoyable one featuring Goofy.

Grade B